Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and how it shapes and influences our behaviour. On this course, we explore human behaviour using sound scientific methodology – observation, measurement, and testing – to understand how and why people function in the way they do.
Course overview
Our graduates thrive in careers where an understanding of societal issues is key – in criminal justice, education, social work, research, advertising, human resources and healthcare.
On the course you’ll study core areas including biological, cognitive, developmental and social psychology, and you’ll cover personality and intelligence, research methods, and historical perspectives.
Key features
- Study Psychology as a single honours programme
- We offer excellent facilities all supported by our psychology technicians
- Graduate careers include healthcare, research, social work, marketing, police services, teaching and human resources
- You will study a range of topics including psychology in context, social psychology, biological psychology, developmental psychology and employability skills and psychology.
Entry criteria
- A typical offer is a minimum of 120 points from at least two A levels, or
- BTEC National Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit, or
- BTEC Extended Diploma - Distinction/Distinction/Merit
Plus five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and Maths.
Alternative qualifications include:
- Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE overall 120 UCAS tariff with at least 30 L3 credits at Merit. English GCSE required as separate qualification. Equivalency not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.
- International Baccalaureate: 30+ points
Interview: No
Work experience: No
Personal statement selection criteria:
- Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
- Information relevant to the course applied for
- Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
English language requirements: If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.
Course modules
First year
- Introductory Research Methods in Psychology
- Core Areas of Psychology
- Historical Perspectives in Psychology
- Psychology in Context
- Empirical Psychology
Second year
- Further Research Methods for Psychologists
- Abnormal Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality and Intelligence
- Social Psychology
Third year
- Psychology Project
- Conceptual Issues and Critical Debates in Psychology
- Employability Skills and Psychology
- Elective Modules
Teaching and assessments
Teaching will be in the form of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Tutorials
Lectures are primarily presentation-based. Seminars and workshops typically involve more interactive or practical exercises and demonstrations and commonly have around 10-20 students. Tutorials may be one-to-one or to small groups. In addition to timetabled teaching you are expected to engage in approximately 20-25 hours of self-directed study, including library research, group work and report or essay writing.
Assessment combines various methods including:
- Essays
- Written exams
- Multiple choice exams
- Presentations
- Critical reviews
As well as more innovative methods such as oral presentations, research reports, critical reviews of research papers and portfolio assignments. In your final year you will also complete an 6000-8000 word dissertation. Modules use different assessment methods, although most employ a combination of examinations and coursework.
